CM Journal

Did you know that melatonin can help improve various aspects of your sleep? Well, of course you did. Anyone with a basic understanding of human physiology and the natural health industry knows that melatonin and sleep go hand-in-hand. But I would argue that very few people realize the wide-reaching effects of melatonin to impact, say, digestion, skin health and inflammation.

Yes, melatonin is the body’s hormone designed to regulate our circadian rhythm and supplementation has been shown to improve total sleep time and restfulness, speed recovery from jet lag, and improve transition periods for shift workers.[i][ii][iii] But melatonin actually has some solid research in many areas outside of sleep.

Here are some other indications for melatonin supplementation in your patients:

Heartburn: Research has found that melatonin protects the esophageal lining by increasing mucous production. A melatonin dose of 3mg/day for a period of 4-8 weeks can actually improve heartburn symptoms.[iv] Another study showed that 6mg/day, in combination with various other nutrients such as B-vitamins and l-tryptophan, also improved heartburn symptoms significantly.[v]

Gastritis: Melatonin has been shown to improve symptoms in people with stomach pains not caused by ulcerations in the tissue. 5mg/day over a period of 12 weeks significantly improved pain markers.[vi] A more recent study in children with the same concern found no benefit but this trial lasted for only 2 weeks.[vii]

Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A number of small studies have found that 3mg/day of melatonin may improve symptoms of IBS such as pain, abdominal distension and urgency, regardless of its impact on sleep measures.[viii]

Eczema: In children and teenagers with eczema, melatonin was able to reduce itchiness and discomfort by 20% while reducing the time it took to fall asleep by over 20 minutes due to this reduction in irritation.[ix]

Migraines: Over a 3-month trial, melatonin was found to be more effective than placebo for reducing headache frequency in migraine sufferers. Headaches reduced from an average of 7.3 per month at baseline to an average of 4.6 headaches per month after melatonin treatment.[x] Additionally, the benefits of melatonin were found to be just as effective as the drug amitriptyline with far fewer side effects.

Tinnitus: Melatonin has been found to decrease the perception of ringing in the ears by up to 40% on its own. This is comparable to the efficacy of the drug sulpiride for tinnitus and, even better, it appears that the combination of the 2 treatments may be the most effective option (up to an 81% reduction).[xi]

Cancer care: Although cancer care is complex and absolutely must be handled by an experienced and qualified practitioner, it is worth noting that there is a plethora of research for this field of application. Melatonin shows promise for many solid tumors at dosages of 10-20mg/day, although there are even studies as high as 40mg/day. Often melatonin is used in conjunction with pharmaceuticals (such as tamoxifen) or with chemotherapeutics to reduce the side effects and/or increase tolerability.[xii]

Endometriosis: One study examined melatonin use in 40 females with endometriosis, finding that 10mg/day significantly reduced pain by 40% (including pain with intercourse and during menstruation) and the need for pain medications by 80%. [xiii]

In clinical practice, this makes melatonin a great “2-for” treatment, meaning that you attack 2 birds with 1 stone or 2 symptoms with 1 intervention: if you see a patient with sleep concerns and IBS, consider melatonin. Another patient presents with tinnitus and he or she is a shift worker with sleep issues? Think melatonin.

Many people may find benefits with even 0.5 mg or 1mg per day for sleep, and higher doses can cause grogginess in those that are sensitive. Others may need 5 to 10mg to find benefit. For this reason, starting low and going slow when it comes to titration of melatonin dosage is certainly recommended.